Mold for printers&#39; strip material.



J. S. BANCROFT 6L A. L. KNIGHT.

IVIOID FOR PRINTERS STRIP MATERIAL. APPLICATION rlLEo-1uLY 13.1917.

,283,626. Patented Nov. 5, 1918.

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Jellers ancroft,

.imoi L. fnyk.

JOHN snnnnrgsnnnonorrnnnnii/rosa..KNIGHT, or PHILADELri-rrn, rnnivsxnvnm,

Assis-mons ,c no ELia-Ns'rolv ivronorxrn MACHINE company, v.or AnarrpaniiL M-11A,

.rnnivsxtvenrx Af ooRronArioN or VIRGINIA.

...Mer-PssePeINTERSrSTI-P MATERIAL i speiaatitiof Letters Patent.

.Patentednovta 1.9.1.8.

Application filed July 13, 1917. Serial No, 180,395. v

Strip Material; and we do hereby declare the following to-be afull, clear, and exactl description of the same, reference being-had to the accompanying drawings,.forming part of this specification, and to the' characters of reference markedthereon.

-The invention relates to `mold apparatus `for elements of printing forms, particularly to molds of the type disclosed, for example, in United States Letters-Patent No. 1,222,415, dated April 10th, 1917. Molds of this'type are adapted as part ofa type casting machine to produce printers strip material, such as rules, leads, andl-ikeele'ments of a vprinting form, iny fused sections to forni strips of indefinite length or' in vnon-fused'sections of predetermined length.

The patentedV apparatus, generally speaking, comprises amold'having an openingfor therentran'cefof molten metal andibeingopen Vat )nef'elidfor the V,exit of the. congealed metal,means for-feeding forwardly lthe congealedv ,metal f and kmeans for forcing' molten metal behind the forwardly fed lcongealed metal. vThe operations fofcasting and feeding are carried on intimedrel'ation" to each otherand are repeatedV in accordance with the amount of product'fdesired. lForfeeding Ythe, foongealed metal a reciprocatory inold blade is shown in the said patent, which blade advances,v when the metal 4in the mold cavity is:l congeale'd, to. push said metal forwardly towardthe exit opening of the mold, and retreats thereafterfto leave' a cavity f or the vreception ofthe .molten metal to form the succeeding cast.

In casting type metal strip lmaterial having a printing surface, a'matrix `formed to produce such surface is used, while inthe 'caseofnon-printing material it is usual to employablank matrix. The `main yobject ffthe present invention isQto' provide -a matrix 'composed of`- a plurality of exchangeable parts, -the* upper member or part beinglprovided with `aV recess to form 'the face or equivalent portion of the element to -I be' cast and the lower member-'being provlded with a slot or the like, adapted to bepositioned in alinement with" the recess-'of the upper member, and-forming that portion Tof the elementV between the portions formed by the upper matrix member and the f m'old proper. A simple exchange off one`orgboth of thel matrix lmembers thus makes" it 'possible with the same-'moldfpartstop-produce strip elements ofV varying formation. For example, a matrix adapted to give abev'eled formation, such as -toffacilitate the insertion of slugs, type and the like in a printing form mr y be altered by exchanging itslower niember merely, so as to produce anelement having a l shouldered formation' such',` as is "particularly advantageouslin the case of rules for a form from which electrotypes vare tofbe made. Other advantages and other objects of our invention will appear in connection with the following description of the embodiment thereof shown inthe accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is 'a sectional View cfa-mold, the section being substantially. in the plane' of the mold blade, l

Fig. 2 is across sectionof the mold, the section passing through'l the nozzle opening and also through parts'of the pressure'jscrew clamping device,

` Fig. 3 is a perspective View `of `the lower matrix member, i

Fig. l is a cross section of the two part matrix shown inFigs'. 1 and-2,wliereby a shouldered rule is produced 'and Fig.' 5 is a cross section of amatrix having 'a modified lower member whereby a beveled rule is produced.

Like reference characters in the several figures indicate the same parts. Inasmuch as apparatus substantially-corresponding tothat of the patenthereinbefore 4found in the type casting' machinesnianufactured by the Lanston Monotoype Machine Company, which have been in extensive public use for many years.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the mold illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 embodies a mold base block 3, which is formed with a channel therethrough in the direction of movement of the mold blade, thus providing front and rear upwardly extending portions l which are adapted to be connected across the top of the mold by a tie bar or bars 5. Confined within the channel extending through the mold base are the type or side blocks between which the cavity for the reception of the molten metal is formed, and these type or side blocks are preferably in the form of bars which extend beyond the mold cavity in each direction and are adapted to be separated a distance which will determine the width of the mold cavity and consequently the point size of the element being cast. The rear type or side block 8 (F ig. 2) is preferably formed with a. smooth inner face and constitutes one wall of the mold cavity as well as the wall of the passage in which the mold blade works and of the exit opening in which the congealed metal is retained during the in- `ection of molden metal to form a succeeding cast. The front type or side block may be of similar construction and arranged to be placed in opposition to the block 8 but it is preferably formed in two'sections 9 and 10, for convenience of manufacture, inasmuch as it has been found desirable to provide at one side of the mold cavity a channel and exit opening through which air and a portion of the molten metal from the mold cavity may escape in the form of a more or less spongy mass, which, for convenience, may be called a gate lying at one side of the element and adapted to be severed therefrom.

By reference to `Fig. 2 it will be seen that between the two sections 9 and 10 there is formed a narrow space which widens out within the type block in the form of a channel which is conveniently of a dove-tail or triangular cross section, as indicated at 12. The channel 12 and the narrow entrance slot which connects the channel with the mold cavity are preferably slightly tapered or of increasing cross section toward the exit end so as to prevent binding during the movement of the gate toward the exit of the channel. Where the front type block is made in two sections, as just described, the upper section 9 is preferably made rigid with the lower section 10 by being fixed accurately thereto and supported by an upwardly extending portion 102L of the section 10, to which it is connected by screws or other suitable fastenings, as shown clearly in Fig. 2.

The two type blocks forming between them the mold cavity and mold blade channel are positioned laterally of the mold base by a packing plate 17 placed back of the rear type block and by the pressure screwv 18 passing through the front projection et of the mold base and adapted to operate against the front type block. This pressure screw, in the preferred construction, is operated periodically in time with the feeding of the element being cast so as to clamp the walls of the mold cavity together during the casting operation and to release such pressure during the feed of the element forwardly in the mold cavity.

The bottom of the mold cavity is formed by the mold base and is provided with a nozzle opening 20 through which the molten metal is injected into the mold cavity through a nozzle 20L indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

n the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the mold is adapted for the making of printers type high strip material provided with a printing surface, the latter and the portion of the strip in proximity to said surface being formed by the upper matrix member 21 provided in its lower face with a recess 22 but it will be understood that one or more recesses or other configuration may be formed in the matrix depending upon the character of the face desired.

The upper matrix member 2l which as shown is provided with a single V shaped groove, being designed to make a printers rule, with a single, narrow printing edge, rests upon the lower matrix member 211 located upon the type blocks and is adapted to seat against a matrix abutn'ient 23 mounted on the upper face of the rear type block; it is held firmly in position by a matrix clamp 25 having two surfaces 25a for cooperation with one edge and the top of the matrix and an inclined surface 25b for coperation with a corresponding inclined surface on the matrix abutment 23, whereby when the matrix clamp is forced down by its clamping screw 26 the matrix will be forced downwardly and against its abutment where it will be held with precision and in such relation to the type block as to prevent any liability of molten metal escaping through the joints. A squirt preventing shield 4:0 may, if desired, be removably ,held upon the clamp 25 by the washer 41 yieldingly pressed against the shield by the spring 42 positioned between the washer and the head of the screw 26.

The mold blade 27 which is mounted to reciprocate between the side blocks is of a thickness which corresponds to the point size of the material being cast and it is guided by the side blocks, and by the guide extensions 31, 82, the forward and rearward limits of its movement being determined by suitable stops, not shown. The mold blade is the lguide channel `ports upon its upper surface the upp provided with means whereby its operating member 35 may be `readily attached thereto, such means conveniently and preferably consisting of a centrally located circular bearing into which a journal stud 36 on the end` of the member 35 is adapted to work. Immediately forward of this circular bearingthe mold blade is formed with an aperture 28nl preferably rectangular for the reception of a lateral rectangular projection formed on `the rear end of the gate pusher 2S. The projection of the gate pusher fits loosely within the aperture inthe mold blade so that the pusher may without binding adapt itself vertically as may be required by l2; the parts are rectangular so that in any position a large bearing surface is provided.

The lower matrix member 211 rests, in the embodiment of the vinvention illustrated, upon the side blocks of the mold and super matrix member 2l. The width of the lower member' is substantially the same as that of the upper -meinber and both members are heldin-.position by the matrix holding devices. The lower member is provided with a longitudinal slot the width of which is substantially the same as the distance between the mold side blocks, which distance represents the pointv size of the element being cast, and this slot, when the parts are properly positioned is in alinement with the mold cavity forme by the said side blocks so that the side walls 43 of the slot (see Fig.

4) form substantially a continuation of the mold cavity forming walls of theside blocks. The slot in this member extends short of the rear end of the latter so that there is formed at said end a connection 44 (Fig. 3) integral with the sides. The end of the slot in proximity to this connection is adapted to aline with the rear end of the recess 22 in the matrix member 2l when the parts are positioned for operation.

The slot in the lower matrix member extends forwardly to the forward end of the said member at which point the sides thereof are connected by an integral bridge portion 45 (Fig. 3). This bridge is grooved at 46 to form a continuation of the slot, the depth of the groove being at least as` great as the thickness of the main portion of the lower member added to the depth of the matrix recess 22. The reason for this will be apparent upon' consideration of the fact` that the matrix formed portion of the element finds exit through this groove in the bridge Y45 when the element after being cast and congealed is pushed from the mold cavity, in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art, by the forward movement of the mold blade.V

In operation the lmold blade is reciprocated from a point in advance of the nozzle shown; it is formed by of a column rule,

point in rear thereof, the being in sliding leak-proof lowersurface of the conneotion 44 of the lower matrix member 211 and molten metal is injected through vsaid nozzle opening when the blade is in its 1retracted position.

The forward wall of the mold cavity is not a structural .part of the mold and is ynot the rearl edge of the typemetal cast-'previously made and thereafter advanced by the forwardreciproca-` tion of the blade. At the time of casting, as will readily be understood by those familiar with thev art, this previously cast type metal is-clamped tightly by the screw 18 in position -to withstand the pressure vof the .entering molten metal. The bridge portion 45 of the lower matrix member is j'practica-lly of importance to prevent the spread- ,opening 20 to a top -of the blade contact with the .ing of thesides thereof because of this presangled shoulder being formed on each side of the projection by the meeting of the top wall and the side wall. By removing the shield 40 then unscrewing the screw 26 and lifting olf the clamp 25, the matrix members can be readily removed and replaced. If desired, the lower member 211 may be replaced by they modified lower member 2l shown in Fig. 5 in which the slots walls 43a are slanting instead of vertical so as to form a continuation ,of the V shaped groove 22 in the upper matrix member. With this modified lower member a strip product is obtainable in which the slanting walls of the V shaped projection extend, like those to the side walls of the strip body. The simple exchange of one lower matrix member for another thus makes it possible, without interference with the mold proper to produce a variety of products for while but two forms are illustrated it is obvious that many other forms may be employed.

l. A mold for elements of printing forms embodying the :following instrumentalities, to-wit: blocks forming the bottom and side walls of the mold cavity, a mold blade of the same height as and working between two of said blocks, an exchangeable slotted member seated upon said blocks with the slot thereof forming an extension in height of the mold cavity, an exchangeable recessed face-forming matrix member seated upon said slotted member with the face forming recess thereof in register with the slot of said slotted member, and means for Clamping both of said members in position on the mold.

2. A mold for elements ot printing` forms embodying the. following instrumentalities, to-wit: blocks forming the bottom and side walls of the mold cavity, a mold blade of the same height as and working between two ot' said blocks, an exchangeable member seated upon said blocks and having a portion in leak-proof sliding contact with the upper surface of said mold blade, said member being provided with a slot in alinement with the mold cavityy to extend the height or said cavity, an exchangeable, recessed, face-forming matrix member seated upon said slotted member and having the face forming recess thereof in register with the slot of said slotted member, and means for clamping both of said members in position on the mold.

matrix for elements of printers7 forms comprising two separable upper and lower members, the upper member being provided with a face-forming recess and the lower member being provided with a slot in alinement with said recess.

4. A matrix member comprising a main Copies of this patent may be obtained for portion adapted to be located between a mold and an upper matrix member, said portion being provided with a slot of substantially the point size or the mold in width and eX- tending troni the forward end of the member to a point removed from the rear end thereor', and a bridge portion at .the forward end of the member connecting the sides thereof, said bridge portion being groov-ed in exten-- sion of the slot, the depth of said groove being greater than the thickness of said slotted portion.

i3. A matrix tor strip material elements of printers forms comprising an upper member provided with a face-forming recess in one of its surfaces, sai-d recess extending to the edge of the member', and a lower member having a main portion contacting with said surface of the upper member and provided with a slot in alinement with said recess, Y

and a bridge portion adjacent the end of the upper member, said bridge portion being provided with a groove forming an extension of said slot, said groove having a depth not less than the thickness ot' the main portion of the lower member added to thedepth or' the recess in the upper member.

JOHN SELLERS BANCROFT.

AMOS L. KNIGHT.

Washington, D, C. 

